MEDIA ADVISORY: Praslin Solar Schools Project to be officially launched in May

Victoria, Seychelles – On Friday, May 30, key stakeholders from different partner organisations will convene at Baie Ste Anne Primary School to officially launch the Praslin Solar Schools Project, a government-led effort which has resulted in all three public schools of the island being able to produce electricity through their own solar Photovoltaic (PV) installations. The schools are namely: the Grande and Baie St. Anne Primary, and the Grande Anse Secondary School.

The launch will take place in the presence of the Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Mr Didier Dogley, the Chief Executive Officer of SIF, Mrs Frauke Dogley and Chief Executive Officer of SEC, Mr Tony Imaduwa, along with other representatives from the partner organisation. In attendance also will be some staff members and students of the three schools that are receiving the PV systems, as well as the Vijay International School, which also has a PV installation.

The launch on Praslin is part of a bigger Government initiative that plans for all the 35 schools located on the islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue to have PV systems installed. It is an initiative that began last year with the La Digue Sustainable School Project that includes a 5kW PV installation donated under the GOS-UNDP-GEF PV project . Subsequently, the initiative will be extended to the schools of Mahe.

This Solar School Programme supports the Seychelles Sustainable Development Strategy (SSDS) 2010-2020, more particularly in promoting energy efficiency across all sectors, including the use of alternative source of power and renewable energy at the national level. Its objective is also to help schools reduce their electricity bill, particularly in promoting renewable source of power with energy efficient measures established in all schools . Additionally, it will help generate crucial data on PV performance on Praslin, which will be beneficial to the National Performance Assessment being carried out by SEC so as to better understand the solar pattern across the region and improve planning of solar PV system installation and other research purposes.

On Praslin, the project has led to each of the Praslin schools having a 4kW solar PV system fitted on their rooftop. The installation at the Baie St. Anne Primary School has been funded by SIF, and Energy Solutions Seychelles is the local installer responsible for it. As for the Grand Anse Schools, the solar PV systems have been funded through the Environmental Trust Fund (ETF), and the local installer responsible is Vertivert Tech. Under this initiative, the existing PV installation at Grande Anse Secondary School donated under GOS-UNDP-GEF CB2 project in 2012 is being connected to the PUC grid through net- metering.

The launching ceremony will be held at the Baie St. Anne Primary School, on 30th May, from 9 am to 12 pm.

Seychelles is more than 90% reliant on imported oil for its energy needs, which is of significant economic and budgetary cost, and the single largest contributor of greenhouse gases in the country. Fuel demand continues to increase as a result of continued expansion of the electricity distributing system, the rising standard of living and increased foreign investment projects. Seychelles has great potential for replacing some of the current oil-generated electricity with solar energy systems.

Expected Outcomes

The project aim is to increase the use of grid-connected rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems as a sustainable means of generating electricity, with the following three main components:

• Policy strategies and legal framework

• Strengthening of technology support

• Strengthening of the delivery system, including PV demonstration projects.

The project is implemented in close collaboration with the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) and Seychelles Energy Commission (SEC). The project is expected to create a market for PV systems in the country.

About the Seychelles Energy Commission

The Seychelles Energy Commission (SEC) was set up in 2009 and falls under the under the purview of the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The object of the Commission is to regulate electricity related activities for adequate, reliable, cost effective and affordable electricity while protecting and conserving the environment. The Commission regulates the generation, transmission, distribution, supply and use of electricity. In addition, the Commission promotes the use of energy efficient technologies and renewable resources.

About the Seychelles Islands Foundation

Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) manages and protects the World Heritage Sites of Aldabra and Vallee de Mai. The foundation was established as a public trust in 1979, with the President of Seychelles as patron. The Board of trustees, appointed by the President, has 14 members, including not less than five representing organizations concerned with the conservation of wildlife and natural history or national academics of science.

Aldabra and Vallee de Mai are both unique, and represent the rich natural heritage of Seychelles. At these sites SIF conserves:

• The world's largest raised coral atoll.

• The world's largest giant tortoise population.

• Some of the world's most spectacular seabird colonies.

• The largest intact coco-de-mer forest and many other endemic trees, plants and animals.

• Unique birds, including the last surviving flightless bird of the Indian Ocean, the Aldabra Rail, and the endangered Seychelles Black Parrot.